Monday, August 2, 2010

Standard of Care: Including Water Penetration Testing of Installed Fenestration Products

Your Project Team is gearing up for a new building that is coming out of the ground very soon. The "i"s are being dotted and the team is looking to "value engineer" the project. One of the components that is set for getting cut is the "field testing" for windows and curtain wall.

Big mistake.

The low cost of field testing windows using the ASTM E 1105 proceedure, whether to the AAMA 502 or AAMA 503 test standards, or keeping it clear and simple by keeping the ASTM standard; far outweighs the potential cost of call backs for leaks after building turn over.

The cost to your reputation could be the biggest risk you take when water intrusion issues become a focal point on one of your completed projects.

Someone may bring up that all of the fenestration passed testing at the factory. Why test it again. While true, the product was tested for performance by the manufacturer, the production of the product typically gets one per ten thousand or production run...

The actual installation of the product gets tested in field testing, as well as the product. The field testing takes place where the "weather meets the wall".

If your project doesn't engage a qualified third party testing agency like Recon, dont be suprised when that decision is put into question.

Provide a reasonable standard of care when building your next building. You'll test the soil, the concrete, and the mechanical systems; dont forget to ensure mother nature stays outside.

Click here for a proposal for testing from Recon on your next project. Your reputation is worth it!